Outcomes of malignant external otitis: survival vs mortality

Abstract

Conclusions. In patients with malignant external otitis (MEO), mortality was not related to age, sex, degree of glucose tolerance, duration of diabetes mellitus (DM), microorganism, comorbid disease, or involvement of a single cranial nerve. Severe complications such as skull base osteomyelitis, intracranial extension, and involvement of multiple cranial nerves were correlated with mortality. Objectives. To analyze the factors that affect the survival of patients with MEO in today's era of advanced antibiotics. Patients and methods. Patients with a diagnosis of MEO from 1993 to 2005 were collected. Results. A total 26 patients with a mean age of 63.7±10.2 years were included. All had a history of DM. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26.9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.2%), and fungus (15.4%) were most frequently found in pus cultures. Cranial nerves were involved in 11 patients: the facial nerve was most frequently (38.46%) involved. Complications such as osteomyelitis (11 patients) and intracranial involvement (3 patients) were noted in this series. Mastoidectomy was performed in 12 patients. A total of five patients died.